At the age of fourteen, a young woman in seventeenth-century Persia believes she will be married within the year. But when her beloved father dies, collapsing in the field where he works with the other men from their village, there is no hope for a dowry. Alone and penniless, she and her grieving mother are forced to sell the brilliant turquoise rug the young woman has woven—meant, of course, for her married life—to pay for their journey to Isfahan. There they will work as servants for her uncle Gostaham, a rich rug designer in the court of the Shah, and be lorded over by Gostaham’s wife.

Despite her lowly station, the young woman blossoms as a brilliant weaver of carpets, a rarity in a craft dominated by men. But while her artistic gift flourishes, her prospects for a happy marriage grow dim. Forced into a secret marriage with a man who will never take her as his first wife, the young woman is faced with a daunting decision: forsake her own dignity, or risk everything she has in an effort to maintain it.

Amirrezvani infuses her story with lush detail, brilliantly bringing to life the sights sounds and life of seventeenth-century Isfahan: the dazzling architecture; the exotic Persian foods; the breathtakingly beautiful rugs. A sweeping love story, a powerful coming-of-age story, and a luminous portrait of a city, this is a universal tale of one woman’s struggle to live a life of her choosing.

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Quotes & Awards

“Simply a stunning debut. One can’t help but want to return to the charming main narrator and the entrancing tale of her quest for independence and self-reliance, her daring and honest exploration of love and desire for love, and above all the profound discovery…that she ‘must being to understand her own worth’”

“Sumptuous imagery and a modern sensibility…make this a winning debut.”

Publishers Weekly

Listener Opinions

by Melanie Shaw | 2/14/2014

" What a strong lead character... She prevails in the end in her own way in a man's world... Love it... "

by Mischelle | 1/31/2014

" Great book, fabulous narration! A definite recommend for women. "

by Teeuhh | 1/31/2014

" Really a 3.5 stars. This book was blessed with interesting and well-developed subject matter and a series of very delicately written stories-within-the-story, but I found the plot arcs to be predictable and most of the characters to be extremely one-dimensional to the point of not caring what happened to any of them, narrator included. Yes, she's essentially a teenager and prone to brash decisions, but sometimes what she was doing just got ridiculous. That said, a lot of care went into this book, which gives it the higher mark. "

by Marie Hertle | 1/28/2014

" In 17th century Persia, an unnamed and impulsive 14 year old female narrator transforms into a successful and wise carpet designer. Because the narrator spent nine years composing the story with several trips to Iran, the author weaves together traditional folktales, researched events, the art of knotting and designing fine carpets, and this fictional story. As one reviewer mentioned, too much time was spent describing the detailed sexual activity between the narrator and her temporary husband. Other than that, I was pleased that the narrator risked her safety and protection for a life congruent with her values. "

" I enjoyed this book about 17th century carpet artistry. It combined the strength of family, the lustiness of the sigheh, the talent of color combinations and tying the knots into a comfortably flowing story. "

Christi | 1/16/2014

" Just finished this one...I couldn't put it down, but it was a little depressing. Great historical fiction though about a woman in Iran, who has a talent for rug making, who has to make her life in a man's world after her father's death. "

Brynne Betz | 1/8/2014

" enticing, luscious, otherworldly, crushing, devastating, spirit-filled, hope-infused....a beautiful story of a young artisan woman and her struggles in 17 century Iran. I read this voraciously....and with the devotion of an elderly woman saying her rosaries, or should I say, reciting the Qu'ran. "

Lexi | 12/26/2013

" This was a stunning and beautifully written story. I can't comment on historical accuracy or anything like that, I have no idea, but it was a lovely read. "

Sally Moos | 12/26/2013

" Good book. One of the better books I've read lately. "

Alice | 12/6/2013

" Beautifully written and enjoyable. A great look at pre-modern Persian culture. Makes me want a Persian rug! "

Danielaecr | 11/7/2013

" It took a while to get into anf then even after it was still not that great. Hated the ending, felt like it left you hanging. "

Cliona | 10/27/2013

" Was it just the aftermath of spending way too long on "Freedom" - I'm not too sure but I picked this book up on monday afternoon and finished it on wednesday night. It was compelling - a great story about a young female carpet designer in Persia in the 1600's. I miss it!!! "

Vickie | 12/18/2012

" I enjoy this genre of story...ancient times...what a woman's life might have been life in another culture. "

Katie | 2/19/2012

" I read this book in less than 2 full days. It was one of the best books I have read. If it wasn't for book club I would never had picked it up! "

Cynthia | 8/30/2011

" Somewhat uneven, but a wonderful look at Iran in the middle ages and the beautiful handmade Persian rugs through the eyes of a teenage girl. "

Karen | 6/23/2011

" i really enjoyed this book, an easy read. "

Joanna | 12/8/2010

" I love stories about people overcoming great hardship and this one is written with beautiful imagery and fascinating detail. Fantastic insight into 17th century Iranian society, carpet making and sexuality, from a young woman's perspective. "

Rand Faris Murtadha | 9/14/2010

" Although it's fiction, but it gave me hope. "

Patty | 5/15/2010

" I really enjoyed this book! Lots of great imagery, and an interesting story. "

Charla | 2/12/2009

" LOVE IT! Wonderful cultural references that take the reader back in time and creates a universal bond with the characters! "

Sherry | 2/3/2009

" Not a bad read. I am wondering how much the attitude toward women has changed sense the 16th century. However the real message here is how women were able to survive even in an environment that I cannot even begin to relate to. "

Other Titles by Anita Amirrezvani:

About the Author

Anita Amirrezvani is the Iranian author of The Blood of Flowers,which was long-listed for the Orange Prize,and a former staff writer and dance critic for the San Jose Mercury News and the Contra Costa Times. She has received fellowships from the National Arts Journalism Program, the NEA’s Arts Journalism Institute for Dance, and the Hedgebrook Foundation for Women Writers. She is currently an adjunct professor at the California College of the Arts in San Francisco.

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